Want to know which new products we fight over? We spill the beans right here in the Beauty Lab

1 of 48

MakeUp Eraser, £15.99

Beauty Writer Cassie says: "The idea of being able to remove makeup with a damp cloth and nothing else seemed a bit crazy to me - I usually have to smother my face in cleansing oil to get every last smidge off. But this actually works. You just wet the microfibre cloth with warm water and wipe. It was super soft and left my skin feeling amazing, like I'd just exfoliated. It has real appeal for people wanting to cut down on the amount of products they pile onto their face on a daily basis - there's a definite trend for streamlining your skincare routine at the moment. The only downside is that you have to machine wash it after use, so would need to buy a couple in order to always have a clean one available. If the same company ever considered creating a pack of say, seven mini Makeup Erasers, I would bite their hand off!"
(Makeuperaser.co.uk)

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2 of 48

Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Color in Blood Roses, £28

Beauty editor Kate says: "Lots of makeup artists have an opinion on 'magic' shades of red lipstick that are supposed to suit everyone. MAC's Ruby Woo is one of them, a retro blue-tinged red. But here's a surprisingly full-on, dark-as-blood shade that the late, great makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin promised would make every single girl on the planet look and feel amazing. The colour definitely lives up the name – this is one seriously sexy lipstick. I'm wearing just one coat here – another coat and you're in inky black, after-dark territory. The darker shade seems just right for these colder days (I've stashed all my pinks for now) and I love how it's ultra-moisturising so it glides on beautifully too. This one is pricey, for sure, but I'm not sure I've ever had so many compliments on a lippie: everyone wants to know what I'm wearing. You can't argue with Kevyn."

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "Real Techniques brushes are loved by pros and novices alike – they're super easy to work with and give a really premium finish to makeup application. This stippling brush is my absolute fave though; I'm lost without it. It's perfect for buffing foundation into the skin and it's the easiest way to a flawless finish – I don't think my face ever looks as good as when I've used this. I'd say it's a must-have product for anyone who wears foundation.

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5 of 48

Narciso Eau de Parfum, from £39

Beauty editor Kate says: "Apparently the brief for this perfume was – 'an extremely sexy fragrance that would turn any man's head'. Well, who wouldn't want that? It's kind of refreshing when a fragrance just puts it right out there. No subtle hints, no pretending to be cool. Just out-and-out raw sex appeal. I love all of Narciso's perfumes and, because there are only a handful of them, it always feels as if you're wearing something just that little more unusual. This newest offering made ALL of us girls on the beauty desk go weak at the knees (and we never agree on anything!). If you want to know what's in it: musk, amber, vetiver and rose. But all you really need to know is: you'll smell HOT."

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6 of 48

GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand, £110

Beauty Writer Cassie says, "My life has been one long mission to find a tool that turns lackluster curls into polished waves, so I felt like throwing a party after trying this small but perfectly formed new wand by GHD. The curls in the picture took me under ten minutes to create, and I was at my desk reading emails and answering the phone at the same time. The conical wand shape flattens out at the end to create a more natural, less uniform ringlet (think: nice blow dry, not: poodle head.)"

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7 of 48

Tom Ford Matte Lip Color in Pussycat, £37

Online Beauty Editor Bridget says, "This is pure luxury in lipstick form. The matte but moisturising formula is the height of makeup chic but it's the just left-of-centre colour that made it must-have for me. Well, that and the fact it's Tom Ford. The almost-nude pink hue has a shot of lilac in it, making it way more interesting than your average neutral – but is still totally wearable. 'Pussycat' goes with anything and everything so has swiftly become my staple, or even signature, shade and I've had countless people ask me what it is. To top it off, it tastes like cocoa making application feel indulgent. I'm stockpiling, literally."

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8 of 48

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Happy Nude Year, £8.99

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "This matte lipstick is literally a dream, I've found myself wearing this more than anything else – I keep one at home, one in my bag and one on my desk so I'm always prepared. Happy Nude Year is perfect shade to wear day-to-day, but it's also pink enough to dress up an outfit if needs be. It really does last well, and even though it's matte it really isn't drying (it does start to feel slightly uncomfortable after a few hours, but I find adding another layer tends to sort that out), and it does feel like velvet on my lips. The doe-foot applicator makes it really easy to swipe on too, which is great for somebody like me who doesn't find putting on lipstick the easiest. To be honest I probably couldn't rave about this stuff more if I tried."

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9 of 48

Tria Hair Removal Laser Precision, £250

Beauty Director Inge says, "Is this the dawn of a new hair removal revolution? The Tria Laser Precision may, unbelievably, end up putting my beloved epilator to pasture. Sleek, light and dead simple to use, this is an actual laser that removes hair permanently. It's completely safe: it only unlocks if its sensors detect the right hair and skin colour (it won't work on very light hairs or very dark skins, as those are at risk of burns). Best of all, it's affordable. Of course, £250 is hardly peanuts, but if you figure that you could be fuzz-free forever in 3-6 months of twice weekly treatments (hair grows in stages so it takes that long to disable all the hair follicles in your chosen 'area'), you're looking at a pretty good return on investment. The Precision, with its treatment head the size of a 20p coin, is meant for smaller areas like underarms, bikini line and even upper lip (a 'big' Tria for legs and such is also available, but it's a lot more expensive and clunky). You just stipple the treatment area with your device, pressing the button to deliver your laser pulses as you go along. There's three intensity levels, ranging from a light 'zing' to a pretty sharp snap, depending on how much discomfort ('pain' is too big a word) you can stand. Over time, your tolerance will go up, plus, as the hairs get less numerous, less thick and less dark, it'll be easier go for Max Power. At the risk of TMI, I've been wielding by device on my bikini line, which is reaching a state of near-perfect permanent neatness – and the process couldn't have been simpler. This is definitely a contender for my Gizmo of the Year."

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10 of 48

Kerastase Discipline Keratine Thermique Creme, £19.50

Online Beauty Editor Bridget says: "I didn't know I needed a hair primer, but a product promising to improve the finish of my blow-dry, plus protect against heat in the process catches my eye. There are three tress types that the new Kerastase Thermiques service; dry hair, weakened hair and unruly hair – the version I tried. Just a small amount (for fear of grease) literally transformed my drying experience. It sped things up but set the style for longer. Seriously. It also left my hair so soft and smooth - but not flat - that I couldn't stop touching it and my short-haired Mum who also tried it, said exactly the same. Love it."

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11 of 48

Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Lotion, £27.50

Beauty director Inge says, "Many years go, I used a glycolic acid-based body lotion that left me with massive welts all over my legs, so I think I can be forgiven for being a bit wary of products advertising high levels of alpha hydroxyl acids (of which glycolic acid is one). But times have moved on and product formulations have been massively refined, so that powerful peeling and regenerating ingredients like fruit acids and retinol can now do their work without irritating skin in the process. And Ameliorate (not the snappiest name, granted) is a case in point. Ultra-high in lactic acid, which has the same exfoliating powers as glycolic but is kinder and more hydrating to the skin, it's also pH-balanced and packed with anti-inflammatories, both off-setting any lingering potential to cause redness and itchiness. The rich lotion definitely tingles on my skin in places (for about a minute), but that's as hardcore as it gets. It got rid of post-heat rash scaly skin on my arms in a matter of days, and overall leaves my body skin feeling preposterously smooth and soft. If you have keratosis pilaris (those odd red bumps on the backs of your arms, caused by tiny in-grown fuzzy hairs), this stuff will absolutely sort you out; it was, in fact, created specifically to tackle the problem. Ameliorate really is healthy skin in a tube."

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12 of 48

Topshop The Concealer Palette, £12

Online Beauty Editor Bridget says, "So, Topshop has finally launched foundations and concealers, but are they any good? Well this little puppy has replaced my MAC PRO Concealer Palette so there's your answer. Like my old fave, with this I can play makeup artist - blending my perfect shade to either lighten and brighten dark circles or mask blemishes and redness. Hopefully Toppers are working on different tones for darker skins, because this could be the makeup bag staple every girl didn't know she was missing."

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13 of 48

Lanolips 101 Ointment in Strawberry

Beauty editor Kate says: "This is one of those multi-purpose balms that's found in place in many a beauty editor's heart. The 100% pure lanolin balm is a great natural moisturiser and has a gorgeous melting texture. It's pretty ace as a lip balm but also good for rubbing into cuticles or knuckles or sore noses. I'm loving this new edition with added strawberry, it makes my lips look incredibly plumped and shiny, plus it works to exfoliate away dead skin cells. If I could only stop licking it off my lips…"Lanolips 101 Ointment in Strawberry, £9.18 boots.com

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14 of 48

Skyn Iceland Face-Lift in a Bag

Beauty editor Kate says: "Stick-on eye patches seem to be standard pre-party behaviour for the celebs these days with everyone from KK to PDiddy posting selfies all proudly patched-up. I've long been a fan of Skyn Iceland Eye Gels which help to transform knackered eyes in 10 minutes flat, de-puffing, lifting and blitzing dark circles. Seriously, these are little patches of joy. Now they've created Face Gels for your smile lines and forehead furrows, designed to give your whole face a turbo-charged whack of youthfulness. Neatly put together in this affordable kit, you can reach for these patches whenever you need to look your smokin' best (like a red carpet premiere, or the Oscars, or maybe just the pub on Saturday night). So, you'll look pretty ridic while they work their magic, but if it's good enough for PDiddy..."Skyn Iceland Face-Lift in a Bag, £15 marksandspencer.com

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15 of 48

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Beauty journalist Sabine says: "I've fallen for this fragrance, and I've fallen hard. I've cast aside all my other scents for this woody number, as it's become my go-to fragrance for day and night. One spritz feels like a breath of fresh air, as the freshness of the sea salt combines with the natural, earthy note of sage - reminding me of the goodness of salty sea air and beachy summer days. It's a warm welcome into a city girl's life. I love it!"Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne, from jomalone.co.uk

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16 of 48

Jo Hansford Illuminoil

Beauty editor Kate says: "I consider myself a bit of a hair oil connoisseur these days dontcha know. Not all oils are created equal! Some feel far too heavy for my fine hair, others leave me wanting more. This gorgeous treat from top colourist Jo Hansford is clearly made by someone who understands hair: it's packed full of nourishing oils like pomegranate, argan and jojoba to give hair an instant shine and health-injection. I used it on freshly-washed hair to speed up blow-drying and it helped sort out my frizzy ends too. It's also great as an overnight treatment for itchy, flaky scalps (massage it in before bed and shampoo out in the morning). A bit pricey, but one bottle should last you a long time."Jo Hansford Illuminoil, £29 johansford.com

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17 of 48

Mac x Marge Powder Blush in Pink Sprinkles

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "Every so often Mac launch a collection that excites me so much that I can barely contain myself, and Mac x Marge (which launches TODAY in store) has done exactly that. Granted, I do want to own everything in the collection, but this blush has shot straight to the top of my current favourites list. Not only is the packaging amazing – gotta love a bit of Marge's shifty-eyed look – but the product itself is pretty enjoyable. I don't usually go for pink on my cheeks but this is a really flattering shade and adds a nice, healthy glow to my skin. I guarantee this'll sell out quickly so if you wanna invest make sure you're quick!"Mac x Marge Powder Blush in Pink Sprinkles, £20 maccosmetics.co.uk

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18 of 48

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil

Beauty journalist Sabine says: "Body oils are a bit like Marmite, you do either love them or hate them. I'm in the first category, as I like their versatility. I like to use them instead of moisturiser, but also for glow when I've got skin on show – it's great on legs. And for a bonus, this one works in hair too. If you haven't tried how nourishing argan oil is on the body yet, make a note of this, I've tried more expensive versions and this fares just as well – leaving skin healthy looking and soft to the touch."
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil, £14 thebodyshop.com

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19 of 48

Elegant Touch Gel Rocks

Beauty editor Kate says: "If you haven't got the time or cash for a gel mani, this kit might hit the spot. There are just a handful of shades to choose from but they're all the kinds of shades I love, from a classic nude to pistachio to blood red. The clever stuff happens with the gel top coat, which gives the regular-looking polish a high shine, plumped-up finish with a 10-day chip-free promise. It's a bit of a stretch to pretend it's quite as good as a proper gel manicure, but it's a glossy hard-wearing second best."
Elegant Touch Gel Rocks, £14.95 superdrug.com

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20 of 48

Bobbi Brown Smokey Mascara

Beauty journalist Sabine says: "I won't even leave the house without mascara on, and it's fair to say I have a small obsession with making my short blonde lashes look longer, thicker and as black and dramatic as I can make them. So I ask a lot from a mascara, especially from a luxe wand like this. And boy did it not disappoint. A few quick coats, when you're short on time in the mornings give lashes a natural look with super separation. But with a few extra sweeps, you get that dramatic look that I always crave - fantastic for when you're getting dolled up for a night on the town."
Bobbi Brown Smokey Mascara, £22.50 bobbibrown.co.uk

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21 of 48

Garnier BB Cream + Blur

Beauty journalist Sabine says: "This should be your go-to skincare product if you're going away and just taking carry-on! The first time I tried this, I was apprehensive to replace my regular moisturiser, primer and coverage with this one product, but in the name of beauty testing I did it. And found that one product can really can do it all. It made my complexion instantly look radiant and super soft to the touch (the cream is silicone-based for a velvety feel). Best of all, it cuts time out of my busy mornings."Garnier BB Cream + Blur, £12.99 boots.com

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22 of 48

Kiehl's Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream

Beauty journalist Sabine says: 'At this time of year it's often confusing figuring out what kind of coverage will work best with your complexion. My skin doesn't need much coverage in the summer, so foundations are a no no, but I haven't really found the right BB cream either - until now. The super hydrating formula really perks up dehydrated skin giving it a real moisture boost, and the light coverage perfects my sometimes uneven complexion. Plus, my pale skin needs a high SPF, and the SPF50 has that covered – no pun intended.'Kiehl's Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream, £23.50 kiehls.co.uk

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23 of 48

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "My name is Lucy and I'm a Soap & Glory addict. I don't think there's a single product of theirs that I haven't fallen head over heels in love with, and this Orangeasm body wash has gone straight to the top of my favourites list. First, I absolutely love how massive these bottles are. Seriously huge. But obviously the scent of this is pretty amazing too. It's gorgeously zesty and does just the job of waking me up in a morning. It's packed with skin softening ingredients that leave my skin feeling and looking super soft and loved. There's also an indulgent body moisturiser and a fragrance in the range too, just in case using this leaves you wanting more." Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash, £6.50 boots.com

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24 of 48

Heel Chemistry Heel Hydration Complex

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "I know nobody likes talking about feet, especially not me, but I'm the first to admit that I do fully neglect mine. The claim on this stuff is pretty big though, they reckon it can transform your feet in just 14 days without using acids and without skin peeling, but it was after just a couple of days continued use that I started to notice an improvement. The instructions say to use it twice a day, but I tend to just use it once before bed, and even still my heels were definitely a lot softer and the balls of my feet were thanking me too. I've tried countless different lotions and potions that promise softer feet but this is truly the only one works – definitely a worthwhile investment (and it smells good too!)"Heel Chemistry Heel Hydration Complex, £14.99 boots.com

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25 of 48

ghd Aura

Beauty Director Inge says, "hair pros like to advise you invest in an extra-powerful professional hairdryer, as it speeds up drying time and is therefore better for hair. But unless you have luxuriantly thick locks, and lots of them, you may have found that your average megawatt air stream just blows your hair uncontrollably all over the shop, tying it in hopeless knots in the process (I know it's not just me!). So the rather revolutionary Aura is a godsend: it has a concentrated, as opposed to turbulent, air stream, directing all its considerable drying power towards the section your working on while leaving the rest at peace. The nozzle, meanwhile, stays three times cooler than your average one so there's no chance of intermittent scalp burn. The dryer sounds awfully limp, but don't let that fool you: your hair will be dry in no time, and extra-glossy to boot, thanks to the single-direction air flow. My only gripe is that you have to squeeze the cool shot button like a maniac to keep it going, leading to hand cramp; surely this can be fixed?"
Ghd Aura, £145 selfridges.com

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26 of 48

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "Who knew Baby Lips could get any better? I certainly didn't, but then Maybelline go and defy everything by launching these amazing neon balms. They're just as moisturising as the originals but these have a sheer hint of colour that can easily be built up to create something a lot more intense. They're great worn alone or can be used to top up a lipstick, either way, I'm obsessed."Maybelline Baby Lips Electro, £2.99 boots.com

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27 of 48

Carex Bubble Gum Hand Wash

Beauty editor Kate says, "SO, here was me thinking that a hand wash could never be that exciting. But then I stumbled across the Carex Fun Scents and – don't judge me – I kind of looked forward to WASHING MY HANDS. Yes I know this is freaky but these hand washes smell seriously edible. The Chocolate Orange scent is so ludicrously tasty that I get a sugar rush just from the bubbles. And this new Bubble Gum variety is so nostalgic, I feel like a happy school kid every time I use it. Trust me – stash this by your sink pronto and get ready for mini shots of joy throughout the day. It's the little things…"Carex Bubble Gum Hand Wash, £1.80 sainsburys.co.uk

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28 of 48

2true Fast Dry Nail Polish

Beauty Assistant Lucy says, "I tend to disregard price when it comes to nail polish – I've had plenty of bad experiences with more expensive stuff, but I'm always surprised at how good cheaper bottles are. This fast dry range by 2true is a good example of that – I'm impressed with the decent colour range, but more importantly, the brushes are really good – firm and flat. The formula of the polish is good too, not watery or too thick, and I got an opaque finish in two coats, plus it did dry quickly as promised. I don't think I have any complaints actually, and for less than two quid a pop I'm planning to stock up on these bad boys."2true Fast Dry Nail Polish, £1.99 superdrug.com

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29 of 48

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist

Beauty Writer Cassie says: "Sweaty summer days at your desk can be made marginally better by a cooling face mist, and this is the first one I've come across for both the hair and face (unless I haven't been looking properly?). Awapuhi is a botanical extract from Hawaii know for it's moisturising qualities, and with no less than 19 amino acids and 12 vitamins essential to healthy hair and skin - it's basically cooling down with benefits."Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist, £5.50 paul-mitchell.co.uk

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Label M. Brightening Blonde Collection

Beauty Director Inge says: I'm not a fan of colour-enhancing shampoos and conditioners; they are either too heavy for my fine hair or they come in those freaky shades of purple that I always feel are meant for platinum blondes. So I avoid them and pretend city living doesn't affect my highlights at all. Consequently, I wasn't expecting much of a treatment incorporating all three products (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in balm) in this brightening range for blondes. How wrong I was! There are no dyes or pigments here and the product are lemon yellow, not violet, to suit all shades of blonde. They brighten with a host of plant and fruit extracts like pineapple to gently dissolve dull and brassy particles that are killing the light in your hair. After just the single use of all three products, my hair looks absolutely brighter and the tones in my highlights were far more evident. This is definitely the way to make your highlights go far further (saving you lots of ££), or give your blonde-ness a boost – there's lots of nourishing ingredients, too, to add health and shine.Label M. Brightening Blonde Collection, from £12.75 labelm.com/uk

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